Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...

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Klaar (1999) notes that social and healthcare professionals can make
assumptions about a person’s understanding, which can lead to
confusion. In one example provided from the literature, a GP referred
to a ‘normal’ labour, when discussing the possibility of the woman with
intellectual disability in question having to undergo a Caesarean Section.
The woman and her partner latched onto the word ‘normal’ and thought
that that meant easier. The GP had assumed that what a ‘normal’ labour
involved was common knowledge (Klaar, 1999). This highlights the
importance of clear communication and the benefit of a woman having
support when attending appointments.
Support to People with an Intellectual Disability who are
Accessible
and Appropriate of Provision on <strong>Review</strong> <strong>Literature</strong>
Experiencing Crisis Pregnancy
Dotson et al. (2003) observed that it is important not to address questions
and give information solely to accompanying parents or caregivers but to
instead speak directly to the patient (Dotson et al., 2003).
4.8.4 Early identification of needs
In the UK, good practice guidance on working with parents with learning
disabilities (DH and DfES, 2007) recommends that identification of
needs should start when pregnancy is confirmed and that procedures,
criteria and pathways should be confirmed between maternity services
and children’s and adults’ social care. The authors note that early
assessments of support needed to look after a new baby will help to
prevent avoidable difficulties arising.
Tarleton et al. (2006) also recommend that if adults with learning
difficulties decide to become parents, then contact with maternity
services should occur as early as possible. In this study in the UK,
professionals supporting parents with learning difficulties suggested that
pro-active one-to-one work with parents should begin in the sixteenth
week of pregnancy, with the community nurse supporting parents to
understand the information provided by the midwife and to develop the
required baby-care and other skills.
Meanwhile, Rogers (1997) has stated that early referral to the necessary
support services is crucial, particularly for women who have been
sexually abused or for women who have a history of poor parenting, with
no positive parenting role model in their lives.